1
[ noun ] a humorous anecdote or remark

Used in print

(Chicago Daily Tribune...)

His addle-brained knight-errant , self appointed to the ridiculous position in an age when armor had already been relegated to museums and the chivalrous code of knight-errantry had become a joke , is , as Cervantes no_doubt intended , a gaunt but gracious symbol of good , moving soberly and sincerely in a world of cynics , hypocrites and rogues .

(Howard Nemerov, "Themes and Methods: The Early...)

The horrifying humor , the specifically sexual embarrassment of the joke gone_wrong , the monstrous image of the fat man dressed_up as a whore dressing_up as a baby ; the epiphany of that quivering flesh ; the bringing_together around it of the secret liaison between indolent , mindless sensuality and sharp , shrewd talent , cleverness with an occasional touch of genius ( which , however , does not know `` how to attack the problem of suffering '' ) ; the miraculous way in which music , revelation and death are associated in a single instant - all this seems a triumph of art , a rather desperate art , in itself ; beyond itself , also , it evokes numerous and distant resonances from the entire body of Mann 's work .

(J. H. Hexter, "Thomas More: On the Margins...)

Secondly , to find a learned diversion and a pleasing joke in More 's account of the stupid brutalities of early sixteenth century wars , of the anguish of the poor and dispossessed , of the insolence and cruelty of the rich and powerful requires a callousness toward suffering and sin that would be surprising in a moral imbecile and most surprising in More himself .

(Jane Gilmore Rushing, "Against the Moon,"...)

This joke was not funny to Linda_Kay , and she blushed , as she always did ; then , hearing the muffled boom of Howard 's laughter , blushed redder .

(James Thurber, "The Future, If Any, of Comedy,"...)

We now have not_only what has been called over here the comedy of menace but we also have horror jokes , magazines known as Horror_Comics , and sick comedians .

2
[ verb ] tell a joke; speak humorously

Synonyms

jest

Examples

"He often jokes even when he appears serious"

Used in print

(Morley Callaghan, A Passion in Rome....)

Let 's be fine superior people of great dignity '' , he said as if he were joking .

3
[ verb ] act in a funny or teasing way

Synonyms

jest

Used in print

(Peter J. White, "Report on Laos"...)

The Prime_Minister paid his respects to the Buddhist monks , strode rapidly among the houses , joked with the local soldiery , and made a speech .

Related terms

act clown jest joker

4
[ noun ] activity characterized by good humor

Synonyms

jocularity jest

Used in print

(Ralph J. Salisbury, "On the Old Santa Fe Trail...)

The way his red rubber lips were stretched across his pearly little teeth I though he was only having a little joke , but , no , he wanted me to bend down from the roar of wind so he could roar something into my ear .

5
[ noun ] a ludicrous or grotesque act done for fun and amusement

Used in print

(Chicago Daily Tribune...)

The episode in which Sancho_Panza concludes the joke that is played on him when he is facetiously put in command of an `` island '' is one of the best in the film .

6
[ noun ] a triviality not to be taken seriously

Examples

"I regarded his campaign for mayor as a joke"

Related terms

pettiness

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